The Bears (8-9, 1-5) return to the road Sunday afternoon for a 2:05 p.m. Missouri Valley Conference game at Illinois State (15-2, 4-2).  The Bears are coming off a season-best shooting effort (.451) Wednesday night against Wichita State to score their first league win of the season and snap a six-game losing streak.

The 68-55 home win over the Shockers saw Chris Cooks post a career high 23 points and grab 11 rebounds (also a career best) to pace the Bears’ win. The Bears outrebounded the Shockers, 31-24, to win the rebounding battle for the sixth time in a seven-game span.

Illinois State held off Drake, 65-61, on Wednesday at Redbird Arena (10,200), despite the Bulldogs’ perfect night (8-for-8) at the line and nine Drake threes. Champ Oguchi led three Illinois State players in double figures with 29 points, including seven of ISU’s 12 three-pointers. The game featured six ties and 13 lead changes.

For more on the game, click here .